Overseas - Friday, September 15, 2006

With its history, culture, natural beauty, famously friendly people and famously good wine, Italy has charmed generations of holidaymakers. This country has seen an upsurge of UK interest, not only from tourists but from relocators and investors as well. And there is a wealth of wonderful property currently on the market in some of Italy’s most sought-after wine-making regions.

We start in Umbria, with its beautiful green landscapes criss-crossed by the Appennine mountains. In central Gioiella, Nina’s House is an imposing detached house on three floors. It was converted some time ago to enable the owners to let out to groups of different sizes.
There is a large garden and spectacular views over the countryside. The property is ideal for those looking for a rental unit or bed and breakfast as income and as a family house, such is its size and layout. Nina's House is on the market for just £226,667 (€340,000). Available through Brian French & Associates. Contact 0870 730 1910.
Also on the market through Brian French is La Vigna, a semi detached house with swimming pool in a hamlet amidst fabulous farmland. Located just 1.5 km from Castiglione del Lago, the old house was totally reconstructed about six years ago and appears new.
It has operated successfully as a home for the owners and with rental accommodation for tourists. There is a garden of 1,300 sq m which includes productive vines that make the red wine from which the property takes its name.

This is an ideal and affordable home cum investment property, ideally located for use as a base for sightseeing in Umbria and Tuscany. La Vigna is on the market for an amazing £236,667 (€355,000). Call 0870 730 1910.
'These properties, and many others on our books, show that you can purchase land and a home for the price of a one bedroom flat in the UK,' says Steve Emmett of Brian A French & Associates. Another thing to consider, he says, is that 'a great many homes offer the potential or opportunity for additional income whether from vines, olives, bed and breakfast or rental, which often appeals to purchasers'.

For those in search of something grander – and who have a budget to match – a trip to neighbouring Tuscany is in order. This is, of course, wine country and Podere Sant'Alberto allows the owner to be a part of this proud Tuscan tradition.
This remarkable property is located in a farming area and dates back to the 14th century. The small holding is 12 hectares of mixed woodland, fallow pasture, olive groves and, of course, vineyards – and this is the special thing about this property.
Sant'Alberto is more than a Tuscan house; it will appeal to anyone who wants wine-making to be a part of their life.

There is an older vineyard, planted about 37years ago with Sangiovese and white grapes mixed with olive trees in a traditional manner. The new vineyard is planted with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon and was established in 2001. There are 1.2 hectares under vines with 3,600 vines per hectare. There are approximately 0.4 hectares each of Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Additional areas could also be cultivated with vines.
The main house comprises two reception rooms and five bedrooms. There is a one bedroom guest cottage and a barn together with cantina, garage and underground cantina. There is also a fermentation building and a swimming pool.
'This is a unique home for the right person', says Emmett of Brian A French & Associates who are currently marketing the property and who originally sold it to the current owners. 'It can bring a lifetime of enjoyment, satisfaction and profit and the property .'
The property is set amidst typical Tuscan rolling hills about ten minutes from Monteriggioni, with a view of San Gimignanoon. The property is priced at £1,466,667 (€2.2 million). Call Brian A French & Associates 0870 730 1910.

And in the Marche region near Jesi, in the middle of the Verdicchio grapes valley, Villa Torno is a luxury house with spectacular views of the local castles. Completely restructured ten years ago under the guidance of an architect, this home has high-quality materials and is wired for 21st-century communication, including ISDN.
Only eight minutes from Raffaello Sanzio airport, with its daily flights from London, this home is very accessible. For further information visit the website villaforsaleinmarche.it.

How party central became a property hotspot

Cyprus has some of the world’s most loved beaches, a fact that is not lost on UK buyers. The popularity of this Mediterranean jewel as a place to holiday has been consistently strong for decades. Now, with the craze for buying abroad, it is also one of the most popular locations for those in search of a holiday home, retirement location or simply an investment.
One location that has recently hit its stride as a property hotspot is Ayia Napa. Not long ago this location was known as party central. Staggeringly popular, in every sense of the word, with the young dance crowd, Ayia Napa was high-profile, high-maintenance, high-decibel – but low on the list of areas that would interest an investor.
This has changed dramatically, with Cypriot authorities clamping down on loud music and typical Club 18-30 antics. Ayia Napa is fast becoming an upmarket holiday destination and a serious hotspot for property investors, according to property agents Assetz.
In a drive to rid the resort of its downmarket reputation, nightclubs and bars playing loud music very late at night are now closed down immediately and their music equipment confiscated. Families with children and more upmarket holidaymakers are quickly moving in to take the place of the younger tourists, with the result that suitable property and facilities are springing up to cater for them.

Three golf courses are planned for construction and two huge marinas are also scheduled to be built to take large yachts, which will help transform Ayia Napa into the ‘Monte Carlo of the Middle East.’ The area is very green and rich in history with a national park, 16th-century Venetian monasteries and a crescent harbour lined with fishing boats. Ayia Napa is to the east of the island and is also two to three degrees warmer than the west with a much more reliable climate and less rain, resulting in longer rental seasons and higher yields.
Moira Augusti has lived near Ayia Napa for almost a decade and has noticed a dramatic change in the town's tourism in recent years. She says: ‘Several years ago, Ayia Napa was a club haven for the young, it was extremely noisy and there was always trouble. There is now a dramatic change. The streets are occupied by families with children eating ice creams and young couples walking hand-in-hand, rather than young drunken clubbers. The noise levels are much quieter due to restrictions set by the local mayor and there is no trouble at all. It reminded me of how Cyprus was when I first moved here.’

House prices in Cyprus have risen by around 15 per cent over the last 12 months, but Ayia Napa, along with nearby Protaras and Paralimni, saw rises of an additional five per cent, making them prime locations for investors. Although capital growth in Cyprus is expected to slow to ten per cent by the end of 2006, these hotspots are still expected to retain their five per cent lead, resulting in an anticipated 15 per cent growth for investors.
This is partly a result of the fact that house prices in Ayia Napa are currently considerably lower than the rest of the island, giving greater scope for growth as the area regenerates. A penthouse apartment of 80-90 sq m with a 50 sq m terrace in the area, 300 yards from the beach with on-site swimming pools, tennis and shops, would cost about £110,000 sterling. Such a property would cost around 30-40 per cent more at the other end of the island, in the region of £145,000 to £155,000.

Stuart Law, managing director of Assetz, says, ‘As the higher quality holiday companies move into Ayia Napa and the world-class golf courses and marinas open for business, the potential rental income for investors is significantly improved. They will also benefit from house price growth which is likely to be higher than the rest of the island as the upmarket tourist trade continues to develop.’ Borrowing will also become cheaper when Cyprus adopts the Euro in 2008, Law points out.
A good example of what’s on the market in the area is Orestiada Villas, a complex of spacious semi-detached two-storey villas each with its own private pool and car parking space, located in peaceful Protaras just outside Ayia Napa, within one kilometre of the beach. The villas range in size from 133 sq m to a huge 270 sq m, with modern Cypriot architecture, spacious interiors and air conditioning. Prices start at £145,565 (CYP £132,000) with high guaranteed rental yields available. See assetz.co.uk for further information.
--
New Cypriot developments get ready to tee-off

Holiday home hunters, investors and golfing fanatics are turning their attention to Southern Cyprus where planning permission has been granted for two new prestigious apartment and villa developments.
The new resorts, being developed by specialist Southern Cypriot property developers Morpheus Investments, will be within easy reach of the island's forthcoming five star, PGA approved golf course and located among some of Cyprus' most beautiful countryside and coastlines.
Located in Tersefanou and Kiti, each resort is only a short journey from the island's international airport, Larnaca, and steeped in Cypriot
history and culture.  The woman behind the developments, Morpheus
Investments' managing director, Dani Maxton, comments: ‘Tourism in Cyprus is growing by approximately 7 per cent per year and around half the island's visitors come from the UK.
‘These figures are hardly surprising when you consider that Cyprus enjoys over 340 days of sunshine per year, 9 months of good golf weather and the island's quality of life is ranked amongst the highest in the world. These factors, coupled with average property prices that are lower than in France and Spain, are driving British property investment on the island.
‘The developments will meet the needs of those wanting a holiday-home and a secure investment, without compromising the qualities of local scenery, history and culture.’
Morpheus' Tersefanou resort will be located adjacent to the new PGA golf course, which is due for completion at the beginning of 2009. The golf resort will include health and fitness facilities, a six star hotel, shops and banks, and is a short walk from local amenities. Apartment and villa owners will be able to appreciate a backdrop of rolling hills and access to the region's unspoilt golden beaches.

Nestling in the quiet and picturesque village of Kiti, Morpheus' second
development is around 1km from Tersefanou.  The award winning village
boasts some of the island's richest history and is home to temple remains dating back to the 13th century as well as Mycenaean and Cyclopean style walls, which form the northern city walls.
Maxton concludes: ‘Development in Southern Cyprus is stringently controlled so that the islands' landscape and scenery is preserved. This is great news for people looking to buy on the island. They can rest assured that they can enjoy the best of Cyprus, while appreciating rises in property prices and lower risk of mass development spoiling their paradise location.’

Property prices at the resorts range from CYP £53,000 to CYP £175,000. For a Tersefanou and Kiti information pack, contact Dani Maxton on 08000 751 777 or see morpheusinvestments.com


Established in 1996, Morpheus is a UK property development company, developing exclusive investment properties in Southern Cyprus.

Morpheus is currently developing two new premier resorts in Tersefanou and Kiti. Both resorts offer luxury off-plan apartment and villa investment opportunities and are due for completion in July 2008.

Morpheus villas and apartments are developed in close association with G.Hassapis Holdings, the major shareholder of Cyprus' forthcoming premier 5-star golf resort.

The Tersefanou resort will be located adjacent to Cyprus' new 5-star PGA approved golf course which includes 1,500 sqm of health and fitness facilities, pony trekking, shops, banks, bars and restaurants. Tersefanou is approximately 15 minutes from Larnaca airport.

The Kiti resort will be located in the heart of the village, offering superb views of the sea and the village's rich 3,000 year history. Kiti is approximately 1km from Tersefanou. Apartments and villa prices at the resorts range from approximately CYP £53,000 (GBP £63,600) to CYP £175,000 (GBP £210,000) and can be secured with a minimum 15 per cent deposit compared with the average 30 per cent deposit usually required for property investment in Cyprus. GBP prices are calculated using an average exchange rate of CYP £1 = GBP £1.2

Cyprus:

Cyprus is the third largest Mediterranean island and is served by 30 major airlines and two international airports - Larnaca and Paphos.

The island records an average 340 days of sunshine per year and offers year round golf, water sports and skiing.

In 2005, the Economist reported quality of life in Cyprus ahead of the UK, Germany and France.

Tourism in Cyprus is growing by approximately 7 per cent per annum, with over 50 per cent coming from the UK.

Average property prices in Cyprus are lower than in Spain and France.

Rental returns on properties in Southern Cyprus average between 8 - 12 per cent on the current price of property
--
New developments are coming onto the market all the time, so what makes the new development of properties in Alaminos Village in Cyprus so special? Well, location has to be the first thing.

Alaminos Village is set in the gentle hillsides in an area where market gardening has been its main source of income. Farming tomatoes and cucumbers for world distribution, the area has maintained a lay-back approach to life, a gentle tranquillity where the people’s culture and life style has not been eroded by high rise apartments and a huge influx of foreign visitors and home owners.

The area is therefore very rural with pretty hillsides dotted with traditionally built, small villas for the locals.

Now, there is a new development by a development company with a good standing in Cyprus. The homes are built to a high quality and new owners can feel confident in the property in which they are investing.

Within five minutes drive of the pretty unspoilt beaches, the new homes at Alaminos Village will offer owners the use of two communal swimming pools. Approached via its private road the layout is attractive with one bedroom apartments starting from £CY71,300, two bedroom apartments from £CY122,000 and three bedroom houses from £CY143,500.

‘I am delighted to have been appointed to sell these properties. For anyone looking for a totally unspoilt part of Cyprus this has to perfect for you’, says Pauline Gallagher of Halcyon Properties a company established for over 15 years with offices in Cyprus and the UK. ‘As a company and member of the highly respected Federation of Overseas Property Developers, Agents and Consultants (FOPDAC), it is important to me and my company that the properties we market are of a high quality. Customer satisfaction is paramount.’

Other properties in the area, which is to see a 4 Seasons Hotel being built, are two, detached individual villas, both around 4 years old, where the current owners are looking to sell.

Close to the waters edge and hidden by Cyprus trees they nestle in an area not normally found by visitors to the island as they hug the coastline and are missed by those travelling to the major towns on the motorway.

Located at Mazatos just 15 minutes from the airport and 20 minutes from Larnaka town, they are offered on the market for £CY135,000 and £CY138,000. The former is with carpets and curtains, the latter is fully furnished. Both are available for immediate occupation.

Anyone interested in these properties should contact
Halcyon Properties 01273 208225
www.halcyon-properties.co.uk

How party central became a property hotspot

Cyprus has some of the world’s most loved beaches, a fact that is not lost on UK buyers. The popularity of this Mediterranean jewel as a place to holiday has been consistently strong for decades. Now, with the craze for buying abroad, it is also one of the most popular locations for those in search of a holiday home, retirement location or simply an investment.
One location that has recently hit its stride as a property hotspot is Ayia Napa. Not long ago this location was known as party central. Staggeringly popular, in every sense of the word, with the young dance crowd, Ayia Napa was high-profile, high-maintenance, high-decibel – but low on the list of areas that would interest an investor.

This has changed dramatically, with Cypriot authorities clamping down on loud music and typical Club 18-30 antics. Ayia Napa is fast becoming an upmarket holiday destination and a serious hotspot for property investors, according to property agents Assetz.
In a drive to rid the resort of its downmarket reputation, nightclubs and bars playing loud music very late at night are now closed down immediately and their music equipment confiscated. Families with children and more upmarket holidaymakers are quickly moving in to take the place of the younger tourists, with the result that suitable property and facilities are springing up to cater for them.

Three golf courses are planned for construction and two huge marinas are also scheduled to be built to take large yachts, which will help transform Ayia Napa into the ‘Monte Carlo of the Middle East.’ The area is very green and rich in history with a national park, 16th-century Venetian monasteries and a crescent harbour lined with fishing boats. Ayia Napa is to the east of the island and is also two to three degrees warmer than the west with a much more reliable climate and less rain, resulting in longer rental seasons and higher yields.
Moira Augusti has lived near Ayia Napa for almost a decade and has noticed a dramatic change in the town's tourism in recent years. She says: ‘Several years ago, Ayia Napa was a club haven for the young, it was extremely noisy and there was always trouble. There is now a dramatic change. The streets are occupied by families with children eating ice creams and young couples walking hand-in-hand, rather than young drunken clubbers. The noise levels are much quieter due to restrictions set by the local mayor and there is no trouble at all. It reminded me of how Cyprus was when I first moved here.’

House prices in Cyprus have risen by around 15 per cent over the last 12 months, but Ayia Napa, along with nearby Protaras and Paralimni, saw rises of an additional five per cent, making them prime locations for investors. Although capital growth in Cyprus is expected to slow to ten per cent by the end of 2006, these hotspots are still expected to retain their five per cent lead, resulting in an anticipated 15 per cent growth for investors.
This is partly a result of the fact that house prices in Ayia Napa are currently considerably lower than the rest of the island, giving greater scope for growth as the area regenerates. A penthouse apartment of 80-90 sq m with a 50 sq m terrace in the area, 300 yards from the beach with on-site swimming pools, tennis and shops, would cost about £110,000 sterling. Such a property would cost around 30-40 per cent more at the other end of the island, in the region of £145,000 to £155,000.

Stuart Law, managing director of Assetz, says, ‘As the higher quality holiday companies move into Ayia Napa and the world-class golf courses and marinas open for business, the potential rental income for investors is significantly improved. They will also benefit from house price growth which is likely to be higher than the rest of the island as the upmarket tourist trade continues to develop.’ Borrowing will also become cheaper when Cyprus adopts the Euro in 2008, Law points out.
A good example of what’s on the market in the area is Orestiada Villas, a complex of spacious semi-detached two-storey villas each with its own private pool and car parking space, located in peaceful Protaras just outside Ayia Napa, within one kilometre of the beach. The villas range in size from 133 sq m to a huge 270 sq m, with modern Cypriot architecture, spacious interiors and air conditioning. Prices start at £145,565 (CYP £132,000) with high guaranteed rental yields available. See assetz.co.uk for further information.
--
New Cypriot developments get ready to tee-off

Holiday home hunters, investors and golfing fanatics are turning their attention to Southern Cyprus where planning permission has been granted for two new prestigious apartment and villa developments.
The new resorts, being developed by specialist Southern Cypriot property developers Morpheus Investments, will be within easy reach of the island's forthcoming five star, PGA approved golf course and located among some of Cyprus' most beautiful countryside and coastlines.
Located in Tersefanou and Kiti, each resort is only a short journey from the island's international airport, Larnaca, and steeped in Cypriot
history and culture.  The woman behind the developments, Morpheus
Investments' managing director, Dani Maxton, comments: ‘Tourism in Cyprus is growing by approximately 7 per cent per year and around half the island's visitors come from the UK.
‘These figures are hardly surprising when you consider that Cyprus enjoys over 340 days of sunshine per year, 9 months of good golf weather and the island's quality of life is ranked amongst the highest in the world. These factors, coupled with average property prices that are lower than in France and Spain, are driving British property investment on the island.
‘The developments will meet the needs of those wanting a holiday-home and a secure investment, without compromising the qualities of local scenery, history and culture.’
Morpheus' Tersefanou resort will be located adjacent to the new PGA golf course, which is due for completion at the beginning of 2009. The golf resort will include health and fitness facilities, a six star hotel, shops and banks, and is a short walk from local amenities. Apartment and villa owners will be able to appreciate a backdrop of rolling hills and access to the region's unspoilt golden beaches.

Nestling in the quiet and picturesque village of Kiti, Morpheus' second
development is around 1km from Tersefanou.  The award winning village
boasts some of the island's richest history and is home to temple remains dating back to the 13th century as well as Mycenaean and Cyclopean style walls, which form the northern city walls.

Maxton concludes: ‘Development in Southern Cyprus is stringently controlled so that the islands' landscape and scenery is preserved. This is great news for people looking to buy on the island. They can rest assured that they can enjoy the best of Cyprus, while appreciating rises in property prices and lower risk of mass development spoiling their paradise location.’

Property prices at the resorts range from CYP £53,000 to CYP £175,000. For a Tersefanou and Kiti information pack, contact Dani Maxton on 08000 751 777 or see morpheusinvestments.com

Established in 1996, Morpheus is a UK property development company, developing exclusive investment properties in Southern Cyprus.

Morpheus is currently developing two new premier resorts in Tersefanou and Kiti. Both resorts offer luxury off-plan apartment and villa investment opportunities and are due for completion in July 2008.

Morpheus villas and apartments are developed in close association with G.Hassapis Holdings, the major shareholder of Cyprus' forthcoming premier 5-star golf resort.

The Tersefanou resort will be located adjacent to Cyprus' new 5-star PGA approved golf course which includes 1,500 sqm of health and fitness facilities, pony trekking, shops, banks, bars and restaurants. Tersefanou is approximately 15 minutes from Larnaca airport.

The Kiti resort will be located in the heart of the village, offering superb views of the sea and the village's rich 3,000 year history. Kiti is approximately 1km from Tersefanou. Apartments and villa prices at the resorts range from approximately CYP £53,000 (GBP £63,600) to CYP £175,000 (GBP £210,000) and can be secured with a minimum 15 per cent deposit compared with the average 30 per cent deposit usually required for property investment in Cyprus. GBP prices are calculated using an average exchange rate of CYP £1 = GBP £1.2

Cyprus:

Cyprus is the third largest Mediterranean island and is served by 30 major airlines and two international airports - Larnaca and Paphos.

The island records an average 340 days of sunshine per year and offers year round golf, water sports and skiing.

In 2005, the Economist reported quality of life in Cyprus ahead of the UK, Germany and France.
Tourism in Cyprus is growing by approximately 7 per cent per annum, with over 50 per cent coming from the UK.

Average property prices in Cyprus are lower than in Spain and France.

Rental returns on properties in Southern Cyprus average between 8 - 12 per cent on the current price of property
--
New developments are coming onto the market all the time, so what makes the new development of properties in Alaminos Village in Cyprus so special? Well, location has to be the first thing.

Alaminos Village is set in the gentle hillsides in an area where market gardening has been its main source of income. Farming tomatoes and cucumbers for world distribution, the area has maintained a lay-back approach to life, a gentle tranquillity where the people’s culture and life style has not been eroded by high rise apartments and a huge influx of foreign visitors and home owners.

The area is therefore very rural with pretty hillsides dotted with traditionally built, small villas for the locals.

Now, there is a new development by a development company with a good standing in Cyprus. The homes are built to a high quality and new owners can feel confident in the property in which they are investing.

Within five minutes drive of the pretty unspoilt beaches, the new homes at Alaminos Village will offer owners the use of two communal swimming pools. Approached via its private road the layout is attractive with one bedroom apartments starting from £CY71,300, two bedroom apartments from £CY122,000 and three bedroom houses from £CY143,500.

‘I am delighted to have been appointed to sell these properties. For anyone looking for a totally unspoilt part of Cyprus this has to perfect for you’, says Pauline Gallagher of Halcyon Properties a company established for over 15 years with offices in Cyprus and the UK. ‘As a company and member of the highly respected Federation of Overseas Property Developers, Agents and Consultants (FOPDAC), it is important to me and my company that the properties we market are of a high quality. Customer satisfaction is paramount.’

Other properties in the area, which is to see a 4 Seasons Hotel being built, are two, detached individual villas, both around 4 years old, where the current owners are looking to sell.

Close to the waters edge and hidden by Cyprus trees they nestle in an area not normally found by visitors to the island as they hug the coastline and are missed by those travelling to the major towns on the motorway.

Located at Mazatos just 15 minutes from the airport and 20 minutes from Larnaka town, they are offered on the market for £CY135,000 and £CY138,000. The former is with carpets and curtains, the latter is fully furnished. Both are available for immediate occupation.

Anyone interested in these properties should contact
Halcyon Properties 01273 208225
www.halcyon-properties.co.uk

Humber Valley Resort is the perfect second home for all of the family. Children between the ages of 5-12 are entertained at the Kids Club and teenagers between the ages of 13-18 are challenged and enthralled with the variety of activities available for them at Teen Crew. With facilities such as these, parents are free to enjoy the delights of Humber Valley Resort. Buyers can choose from a range of luxury accommodation from one and two bedroom apartments to bespoke chalets. All accommodation is surrounded by forest, either set on the hillside with glorious views down the valley, woven into the 18-hole championship golf course, or located directly on Deer Lake.  
For approximately £23 per day or £93.00 for five and a half days, including lunch, children at Kids Club can choose from a variety of activities such as jet boating, beach volleyball, water trampolining, kayaking and beach fun. The day does not end with the sun going down – with a beach barbeque on Mondays - the kids will be fed too!
Pricing at Teen Crew varies depending upon the number of activities undertaken. Two activities cost approximately £70.00, four cost approximately £113.00 and six cost approximately £141.00. The choice of activities includes the Canyon Experience in which teenagers will go boldering and swimming as well as explore the secrets of Steady Brook Falls. Other activities include Power Kiting, paint balling in the wild forest on the outskirts of the resort and caving. All activities at Kids Club and Teen Crew are taught and supervised by fully trained professionals.
Parents are not forgotten and with the peace of mind that the children are being well looked after and having fun, there are plenty of summer activities including golf, salmon and trout fishing, kite surfing, sailing, caving and whale watching - or just enjoying the outdoor hot tub experience and fine dining possibilities.
One bedroom apartments at Humber Valley start at approximately £170,000 and two bedroom apartments start at approximately £243,000. Apartments come with a 6% rental guarantee scheme for the first two years of operation. The luxury chalets start at approximately £310,378.

Andrew Robson, Managing Director of Newfound Property International, which is marketing the development in the UK, comments: “Second homes in this amazing corner of Canada offer all of the family a superb activities holiday.  An additional advantage for those who invest in Humber Valley is that they will benefit from the growth of Newfoundland’s holiday industry.  The fact that the resort is just a five and a half hour charter flight away and only three and a half hours time difference means access is very easy from the UK.”

For more information on Humber Valley Resort, please contact Andrew Robson, Newfound Property International, Tel:  +44 (0)20 8605 9530, Email: andrew@newfoundproperty.com or visit the website: www.newfoundproperty.com

Dubai is quite possibly the property success story of the decade. With a massive push from the government to increase tourism, buildings are going up at an amazing rate, and there has been no shortage of buyers for the wide range of apartments and houses that are springing up.
With a corresponding rise in the number of high-quality restaurants, shopping emporia and leisure facilities, this has become both a tourist destination and, for the canny investor, a literal oasis of wealth generation. There are several property brokers and agents who will show the prospective buyer just the right property to suit his investment needs.

key2dubai has a vast selection of properties in Dubai's most sought-after developments, including high-specification waterfront apartments in the famous Dubai Marina. All properties overlook the yacht club, the Arabian Gulf and the breathtaking Palm Jumeirah.
Prices are surprisingly affordable, starting at just £100,794 for a one-bedroom apartment in the Marina Diamond III building. The property measures 727 sq ft and comprises living room with balcony, kitchen, bathroom with separate WC and bedroom (also with balcony). Facilities include a communal swimming pool, children's playground, secure parking, high-speed lifts and a concierge service.

Al Majara Towers, a five building residence on the Dubai Marina, includes a two-bedroom apartment extending to 1,367 square feet, priced at £234,074. Both the master bedroom and second bedroom have en suite bathrooms. Also included are a kitchen, living room, dining room, laundry room, and a separate WC. The balcony affords excellent views of the marina development and the Arabian Gulf.

The complex includes a communal pool and gym. For more information on these and other properties available through key2dubai visit key2dubai.com.
Another player in the local property business is MiNC Property Enterprises, a leading property wealth management company based in the UK and Dubai. MiNC is offering investors the chance to purchase units in its new freehold residential property,.Jumeirah Suites is located in the Jumeirah Village development and will be developed, built and managed by MiNC. All units offer an eight per cent annual rental guarantee for the first two years.
There will be spacious studios plus one- and two-bedroom units. The development includes a swimming pool, gym and other leisure facilities, basement parking and landscaped gardens. Jumeirah Suites is located at the heart of the emerging 'New Dubai' and is one of the most appealing properties at the value end of the Dubai property market.

Kamran Mahmood, managing director of MiNC Property Enterprises, says, 'This centrally located development will, we believe, be the next hotspot at the value end of the Dubai property market, due largely to its proximity to Sheikh Zayed Road and Dubailand, considered to be among the biggest leisure and urban infrastructure developments in the world.
'There is still considerable demand for properties at the value end of the market. Jumeirah Suites allows investors to tap into this key market segment and benefit from the obvious potential of the phenomenal Dubailand development.'
Jumeirah Village will be a self-contained development with a vast range of facilities including schools, clubs, sports, leisure and medical facilities.
Last year MiNC launched Marina Suites, one of the first serviced apartments available at Dubai Marina, offering alternative investment opportunities in the leisure property sector. For further information go online to mincproperty.com.

Dubai Select has launched in innovative Fractional Ownership scheme, the first of its kind in Dubai. This enables customers to buy a portion of freehold apartments in Dubai as a means of 'testing the water' with regard to investing in Dubai property.
Investors are able to purchase the fully furnished luxury accommodation in two-week increments which, when sold, will see them receive 1/25th of the total value of the property – a sum which will not only cover their initial investment but should also generate a profit as Dubai property prices rise.

In addition to using the accommodation for holidays – while generating a profit – customers are able to exchange their allocated two weeks for other global destinations, as Dubai Select has negotiated an agreement with the Interval Quality Vacation Exchange Network, a vacation exchange that lets customers swap their property for comparable properties in over 2,000 resorts in 75 countries. 

Dubai Select has a range of properties available, from £75,000 studios to four-bedroom villas for over £550,000. Visit dubaiselect.com to find out more.

EXCLUSIVE FIVE STAR GOLF & SPA RESORT LAUNCHES ON THE COTE D’AZUR BETWEEN CANNES AND ST TROPEZ

Swiss developer Dr Amann & Co launches Le Roc Golf & Spa Resort, the first 5-star golf resort to be built between Cannes and St Tropez on the coveted Cote d’Azur in France.  The area has been a popular holiday destination for the British Aristocracy since the Victorian era and today it is still popular with the rich and famous, many of which have palatial second homes in the area.  Surprisingly, unlike the Costa del Sol, there have been no top quality golf property resorts along this popular coast, until now.

Le Roc 5-star Golf & Spa Resort is situated in Roquebrune-sur-Argens, just 8 kms from the beach and coastal town of St Raphael and 30 minutes by boat from St Tropez. The sought after location offers a unique combination of the glitz and glamour of St Tropez and Cannes, juxtaposed with the rural peace and beauty of Provence.  The Provencal town of Roquebrune is more than a 1000 years old and is overlooked by its famous red coloured rock which contrasts distinctly with the luxuriant green vegetation of the golf courses and surrounding pine forests.

The 100 hectare development offers a spectrum of property choices, all built in a Provencal style, which will be harmoniously integrated into the surrounding countryside.  The delivery of the first phase (hotel, golf course, Villas des Golfeurs and Bellevue) is expected in autumn 2007 and will consist of five different property types: 15 two and three bedroom townhouses, 8 three and four bedroom detached villas and 24 apartments.  There will be a further 33 townhouses and 60 apartments in phase two which is due for completion in 2008.

Vincent Easton, Director of UK marketing agent Premier Resorts says “The Cote D’ Azur has always attracted a more discerning owner as well as the sophisticated investor who has viewed the region as a safe haven. The Le Roc project ticks all the right boxes: location, limited development opportunity and luxury services on tap.”

The resort features a 5-star hotel with similarly high standard amenities to cater for all members of a family. There will be two golf courses, a PGA managed 18 hole course which will be a 6,500 metre, par 71 championship standard course and a 9 hole course which offer panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea and the surrounding French vineyards; a golf club house with restaurant, as well as a pro-shop and membership lounge. Other facilities will include a gourmet restaurant, a spa, wellness centre with outdoor pool and terrace, hotel villas with luxury suites and private pools, a gym, banqueting and conference facilities, art exhibition and guest artist studios.  These world class amenities will ensure Le Roc is popular at any time of year, not just in the summer months.

The entire development will be under the overall direction of the Althoff Group - a reputable luxury hotel operator, which in addition to top-class hotels in Germany runs the 5-star Villa Belrose Hotel in St Tropez.  By connecting the private villas and apartments with the Le Roc 5-star hotel, owners can benefit from the perfect combination of their own private space and the services of a luxury hotel.

The Swiss developer, the Amann Group, has developed many successful property projects in Switzerland and the South of France over the last 25 years. Their financial strength means they can offer investors a unique investment formula that enables the freehold of the properties to be purchased outright or in two installments.  Investors buying 50% of a property now will be given the option to buy the remaining portion in 2011 at the initial sale price. Property prices have been appreciating in the Provencal region by 9% p.a. over the last five years. The Amann Group estimate that investors can expect a17.2% p.a. (non-guaranteed) increase of value including cash distributions until 2011.

Le Roc is only 45 minutes drive from Nice international airport, which itself is only a 2 hour flight from the UK.  Nice airport is serviced by budget airlines such as Easyjet and Jet2.com who fly from London Gatwick, Leeds Bradford and Manchester. Ryanair also fly once a day from Stansted to nearby Toulon.  Other scheduled services include British Airways who have 7 flights per day to Nice out of London airports.


Prices for a fully furnished 2 bedroom apartment start at €525,000 (£360,000), a fully furnished 2 bedroom townhouse with garden start at €610,000 (£417,000), and a fully furnished 3 bedroom villa with garden and pool start at €1,800,000 (£1,223,000).

Celebrities flock to the area. Stars who have owned property here include Elton John, Joan Collins, Johnny Depp, Michael Schumacher, David and Victioria Beckham, Bono, George Michael and Robbie Williams.
For more details contact Premier Resorts on 0800 0835785 or visit www.premierleroc.co.uk.

GREEN TOURISM: THE IDEAL OVERSEAS BUY-TO-LET FOR THE ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIENTIOUS

Bulgarian Dreams, the UK's leading agent of Bulgarian real estate, is providing the ultimate buy-to-let foreign investment for the environmentally conscientious investor and in turn the ultimate holiday rental option for the green minded tourist, at its scheme Windows to Paradise in Balchik.

Windows To Paradise will be the world’s largest fully carbon neutral new build development and also the first of its kind to be incorporated into mainland Europe.  The Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Management Ltd estimate that the emissions associated with the construction of Windows To Paradise is the equivalent to 3,404 tonnes of CO2 with each apartment causing in excess of 20 tonnes of CO2.  Bulgarian Dreams has offset all these emissions by purchasing 3,404 tonnes of CO2 Carbon credits. 
These Carbon credits have been used to set up a Hydro Power Station in Bulgaria and also to fund a forestry project in Scotland. These carbon credits show that Bulgarian Dreams has offset their emissions using renewable energy resources and as a result, Windows to Paradise will be fully Carbon efficient and an ideal property for the environmentally conscientious.
For the ‘green tourist’, Bulgarian Dreams is set to provide an online apartment booking service that will advertise it’s customers buy-to-let apartments inclusive of the cost necessary to off-set the carbon emissions produced flying to and from Bulgaria.  The Company will then reinvest the money in Carbon Credits.  The result: the ultimate environmentally friendly holiday destination.

Robert Jenkin, Managing Director of Bulgarian Dreams, comments: “The protection of the environment is a growing concern in the UK and around the world and we can see this reflected in individuals actions in everyday life from an increase of household recycling to the popularity of organic food.  Windows to Paradise combined with the online booking service offers an increasingly environmentally conscience public the opportunity to add another green element to their lives, whilst not compromising on quality and a superb holiday destination.”
Windows To Paradise is a select development of studios, one and two bedroom apartments and penthouses situated on the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria, with 85% of the properties enjoying sea views.  The facilities at the scheme are second to none, comprising swimming pools, a restaurant, shops and a fully licensed bar.
The exclusive scheme will also benefit from the Gary Player golf course that is being created adjacent to Windows To Paradise.  As part of the stunning new golf complex, a new marina is also being incorporated, resulting apartments with views over the sea, the golf course or the marina.

The exterior of the development is classic in design, expertly blending with the architecture of rural Balchik.  The interiors of the apartments reflect the luxurious environment encapsulated in the whole scheme.  With free flowing, open plan living spaces, the properties will enjoy an excellent level of interior specification and layout, along with spacious bedrooms, terraces and balconies.   

Bulgaria is a three-hour flight from the UK direct, with two scheduled airlines currently flying to Sofia once a day.  There are a number of regional airports most notably Varna and Bourgas on the Black Sea coast and during the summer season, flights are available direct from nineteen different airports in the UK.
Prices at Windows To Paradise are starting from €30,000 (£20,750) for a studio apartment and €45,000 (£31,000) for a one bedroom property.  For further sales information please contact Bulgarian Dreams on 00 44 207614 1240 or visit www.bulgariandreams.com or email: info@bulgariandreams.com

Properties that put the swing into Spain

Brits love golf and they love Spain. So when the relaxing, challenging sport and the sunny climes of Spain come together, something special happens. Golf lovers looking hunting for a property with good golfing nearby have a wide choice of locations, with luxury newly built developments from Taylor Woodrow de España in the Costa del Sol, Costa Blanca and Mallorca. With developments built on or near quality golf courses in all three regions, buyers are sure to find the right property.

El Bosque de la Mairena in the Costa del Sol is an exclusive Taylor Woodrow de España development of two-bedroom apartments and three-bedroom penthouses near the El Soto de Marbella golf course. Just a short drive from Marbella and its famous shopping malls and seafront restaurants, this residential complex sits within a secluded hillside location with stunning sea views.

The resort will soon have landscaped gardens and a communal swimming pool, while the nearby El Soto clubhouse offers a bar and restaurant as well as a fully equipped gym with sauna and jacuzzi. The surrounding forest also provides the perfect setting for hiking trails and scenic walks. Apartments include natural floor tiles throughout, air conditioning and fully fitted kitchen. Prices start from €269,700.

Los Eucaliptos, also in the Costa del Sol, is a fantastic development of two- and three-bedroom apartments located south of the 18-hole golf course at Los Arqueros Golf and Country Club. Just a short drive from Marbella, Puerto Banus and San Pedro, the residential complex is surrounded by landscaped gardens and two communal swimming pools. Most of the properties overlook the golf course and some have sea views. Prices start from €218,000 euros.
Los Arqueros Golf and Country Club boasts one of the most challenging 18-hole golf courses in southern Spain, designed by the internationally renowned golfer Seve Ballesteros. The clubhouse has a pro shop, bar, restaurant and sun terrace, perfect for getting to know the neighbours, or simply relaxing in the warm climate. Local amenities also include squash courts, tennis courts and a gymnasium.

Situated in a prime Costa Blanca location near Alicante, the town of Alenda is placed for both weekend getaways and lengthy sunny holidays. The 18-hole Alenda golf course, adjacent to two new Taylor Woodrow developments, offers facilities such as a friendly clubhouse, tapas bar and restaurant. Supermarket and shops are also planned.
Lagos de Alenda is a development of two bedroom apartments, with each spacious home built to a high specification, including two bathrooms and fitted kitchen. An attractive sun terrace provides the ideal space for soaking up the Mediterranean sun, and there is an allocated basement parking space and spacious storage room perfect for storing golf clubs and more. Many of the homes have views over rolling landscaped grounds, where there are two lake-style swimming pools. Prices start from €155,500 euros.

Valle de Alenda, a new release nearby, offers 35 two- and three-bedroom town houses, some facing the golf course and others with breathtaking views of nearby mountains and fabulous scenery. The development will include landscaped gardens, swimming pool, supermarket, clubhouse and shops. Homes are built to the highest specification and include air conditioning, fitted wardrobes as well as a spa bath. Prices start at €263,000 euros.
In Mallorca, the La Colina del Golf development is a brand new development of three- and four-bedroom town houses in the small and exclusive resort of Camp de Mar on the island's west coast. The development is just over 30km from Palma, Mallorca's capital, making it easily accessible for shopping and sightseeing.

La Colina is close to both the Andratx golf club and the exclusive harbour at Puerto de Andratx which, with the provision for over 300 moorings, is widely recognised as being one of the best known yachting marinas on the island. Homes are built to an exceptional standard and each has its own private garden. Prices are to be confirmed upon launch.

Taylor Woodrow has been building homes in Spain for more than 45 years. The company provides a specialised service and dedicated team who can help and advise through the entire process of choosing, buying and settling into a new Spanish home. For further details call the UK sales office on 0121 600 8961 or go see taylorwoodrow.com/spain. Alternatively, call the brochure hotline on 0845 450 1555.

Lake Como is renowned for its beauty. It is also getting a reputation as a place where the glitterati come out to play. George Clooney owns two sumptuous homes on the lakeside and Brad Pitt has been a regular visitor in recent months. Now the latest Bond movie, a remake of the 60’s film, Casino Royale, is using Lake Como for its shear diversity and natural beauty.

Lake Como is of course the perfect location for any movie, and sits very well alongside the quiet eloquence of many other bond locations. The crew have been filming on some of the lakes most glamorous and sought-after “spots”, such as Il Punto bi Babinello, a promontory that juts out into the lake at Lenno and is dotted with magnificent villas, and The Grand Hotel Tremezzo at Tremezzo, an imposing period villa which has been turned into a glamorous shoreside hotel.

The staggeringly beautiful setting is simply tailor made for the big budget movie. Cavernous valleys, deep blue waters, fabulous sunshine, tree lined streets with pretty cafes and wide promenades make this a “must” for block buster films and tourists alike.

It is also an ideal place in which to own a home and believe it or not, you do not have to be super rich to own a home here.

“We have apartments with views of the lake starting from just £80,000” says Linda Travella of Casa Travella who has been selling properties in Italy for over 20 years. “It is a hot spot for the rich and famous but it is home to many people from around Europe and prices are not beyond the pocket of the average purchaser”.

Linda, who was on Lake Como whilst filming was taking place said, “The weather was beautiful, between 20/25 degrees, and the venue is spectacular. In fact we were eating in a local restaurant where the cast and crew had been dining the previous evening. Unfortunately Daniel Craig didn’t have a chance to use his Bond charm on me, oh well maybe next time!!”.

Currently available through Casa Travella are new apartments in residence with pool and wonderful lake view for £150.000.00 and you will be surprised to hear that you can find one bedroom  apartments with a lake view for around £80.000.00

However, for those with a bigger budget there are some exceptional homes available that include beautiful palatial villas and amazing lakeside properties.


For those interested in the film, staring Daniel Craig as 007, it is scheduled for general release on November 17th of this year.  If you are interested in following in the footsteps of 007 and treading the shores with Europe’s most glamorous and glitzy then why not take a look at what’s available on Lake Como and you may just be surprised at what you can afford.


Casa Travella
01322 660988
www.cassatravella.com

Integrated high-technology in the home, which until quite recently was little more than gimmicky and good fun, has become rather more serious in terms of saving energy, increasing security and adding value to property.

To meet the demand for information technology around the home, all Griffiths of Portugal villas at Porto de Mós in Lagos now comprise of an integrated well-planned intelligent home system. All electrical outputs via circuits that take care of lighting, heating, cooling and security functions in the home can be controlled by a central in-house switchboard or remotely by telephone or though the internet.

This provides a very practical option giving extra comfort, convenience and peace of mind to home living, with obvious benefits, particularly for owners who are often away, the elderly or those with limited mobility.  The new technology allows people to live more freely and independently than has, in the past, been possible.

Sensors are keys to monitoring and optimizing the home environment. They can, for example, be set to activate lighting at low level and steadily increase the brightness as the sun goes down. If nature calls in the middle of the night there is no need to fumble for a switch: the sensor can light your way until you get back into bed.

Heating and air-conditioning, like lighting, can be precisely programmed to maintain optimum conditions where and when required, systematically avoiding energy wastage. This can result in very significant savings. A boon for holiday home-owners is the ability to regulate temperatures by phone or computer from thousands of miles away.

When it comes to watering the lawn, the gardener doesn’t have to do anything. Metrological sensors measure the humidity and tell the automatic irrigation system what – or what not – to do.

The intelligent home systems are also incorporated to guard against intruders. These include pre installation for CCTV cameras, movement detectors and the instant floodlighting of the entire property at the press of a button. Just as phones and computers can be used remote controls to send commands, they can also receive urgent information or alerts. Such effective security measures alone are bound to increase a property’s value and appeal to purchasers.

The intelligent home’s proactive role in saving energy and increasing security far outweighs the undoubted sense of well-being engendered when the home entertainment unit switches on, the curtains close, the lights dim and the film begins, all in one seamless, sequence.

Safety is another factor and may be of particular benefit if guests or holiday tenants occupy the house. Sensors can, for example, detect flooding in the bathroom if a tap has been left on, or if there’s a gas leakage in the kitchen, which could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Not only can they detect, they can save the situation by switching off the supply at source.  

All villas are also pre-installed with complete ambient sound and two home cinema systems, one fully for this purpose and the other incorporated into the living room.

Apartments at Porto de Mós can also be installed with a wireless version of all of the above at an extra cost.  

For further information please contact Griffiths of Portugal on 0800 001 5349 or visit
www.johndgriffiths.com or email info@johndgriffiths.com

SHIPPING OPTIONS WHEN MOVING ABROAD

Philip Pertoldi is group managing director of Abels Moving Services, the only remover with a Royal Warrant to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. He has been in the removals business for 35 years and is a regular columnist in Homes Overseas.

Moving home is accepted as being one of the most stressful events in our lives, and one we experience on average once every seven years. However, add an international dimension to the equation and the potential for mishaps magnifies significantly.

When the decision to relocate abroad has been made, the first thing most will do is reach for the Yellow Pages, or go on the Internet, to search for an overseas specialist remover. What you need to be aware of is that many companies who advertise themselves as being specialists in overseas moving are in fact not. Their sole expertise is to be able to collect and deliver your effects to the warehouse of another company which “ships for the trade”.  

Take great care when selecting your removals company as payment will be required in advance, although true specialists will have a financial bond in place for payments to ensure delivery is assured even in case of financial difficulties. You will find all their staff knowledgeable (rather than just the boss) providing information and guidance on all aspects of your move. They will be approved (by the FSA) to offer ‘all risks’ insurance cover and know their overseas agents personally, as well as exact shipping and transit times.  Please remember, as for storage, you need to be 100% confident the company really can keep your goods secure.

There are three methods of transit: by road, sea or air. Deciding which is appropriate will be dependent upon locations, volume to be moved, speed needed to destination and the budget available. Road movements will be normal to mainland Europe and can be in a dedicated vehicle, or as a part-load with other consignments for the same region.  These operate in a similar way to sea consignments when sent by exclusive or groupage containers.

An exclusive container movement usually entails all the household effects being prepacked in the home over an agreed period of days. On the last day, the shipping line container can be brought to the residence for loading. It is then security sealed and taken immediately to the port or terminal of export. This method can avoid any undue delays and will meet a pre-determined schedule (subject to no unusual happenings). The average customer will need a 20ft long metal container. The next size is 40ft long and to some locations a 45ft is available. There are even supercube containers which have additional height. Freight costs are fixed, based upon the actual size of container used.

Many countries, the UK included, will allow normal customs clearance to be done without a physical inspection, so the container goes intact to the final residence before being unloaded. Heightened security, however, like to the USA, means more containers are being ‘pulled’ for either actual inspection or x-ray. Australia and New Zealand have strict quarantine restrictions so will always have the containers “devanned” for full inspection normally at an agent’s approved warehouse. If special inspection, fumigation, or cleaning is required, expect an additional charge to be made.  For these reasons owner packing is not recommended.

For customers who do not need or require their own container there are alternatives:

Specialists offer consolidation or groupage services especially for personal and household effects. Here, a number of consignments are loaded into one container and then shipped to the destination. It can however take time to consolidate a full load and some companies delay this even further by waiting until a 40ft container is full. Although this does minimise the overall cost, can you afford to wait? These containers are consigned to one selected agent at the destination who must act for all the customers. No one client can gain access to their goods except via the agent. So ensure the minimum service accepted is: “cleared Agent’s warehouse free and ready for collection”, otherwise be prepared to be held to ransom. Some companies have used this ploy to gain higher rates after initially quoting low to get the business.

An alternative is shipping LCL, which means ‘less than a container load’, with transit organised via a freight carrier. The advantage here is that there is no delay whilst waiting for groupage, but it is more expensive. Care must be taken with packing as the goods will be handled by port labour, which is usually unskilled in stacking furniture and breakables.

Airfreight is for you if you want or need some items urgently at destination, perhaps the bare essentials to allow a family to survive while waiting for the main sea shipment. A small consignment can be cost effective. Airfreight is charged on size or weight, whichever is the greater, as directed by the airlines (they like to avoid planes

being full of low paying volume cargo). As a guide, allow 5kgs per cubic foot for the weight to volume ratio. Like LCL, it is unwise to send loose goods to airports as they are not known for their tender loving care. Over-packing in special palletised airfreight modules is the way professional companies will complete the service and still minimise the weight.

Your specialist remover will be able to advise you which is the most appropriate method, and make all the arrangements. The alternative, which could work out more costly, is a local mover trying to be something it is not – but at your expense.
abels.co.uk